Prince Charles warns 'humanity is hellbent on destroying planet' during New Delhi speech

Speaking out: Prince Charles has called for change
EPA
Robert Jobson9 November 2017

Prince Charles today warned that humanity seemed “hellbent on testing this beautiful and singular planet of ours to destruction”, in a major speech in the Indian capital.

He said the “one-size-fits-all approach to globalisation… cannot be the answer and will, I am convinced, lead us into a sterile, monocultural homogeneity that creates ever greater problems.”

Such a society would rob the planet of solutions to climate change and resource depletion, he said, as “water, energy and food insecurity stalk our most vulnerable populations”.

In his speech at the British High Commission in New Delhi, the prince also hailed the “extraordinary cultural, religious and geographic diversity” of the Commonwealth.

Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall arrive for a wreath laying ceremony at the All India War Memorial at the India Gate in New Delhi
EPA

He said it offered “an unparalleled means to build bridges between our countries and fairer societies within them so that understanding and aspiration might be the inheritance of the generations that follow us”.

Charles will play a leading role, alongside the Queen, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London and Windsor in April.

His mother was invited to be head of the Commonwealth on her ascension to the throne and the leaders of the 52 member states will decide if Charles follows her.

The prince, who had dinner with Indian PM Narendra Modi last night, said in his speech: “The world can learn so much from India today, as indeed it has done through history and as I have done through my own life.”

Earlier, Charles and Camilla laid a wreath at the India Gate war memorial. They arrive back in Britain today after their 11-day tour, which also took in Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia.

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